Meeting Minutes: November 16, 2015

1. Officer Kinney from the 3rd Precinct re-capped the crime report from this year and last … overall, crime is down in the neighborhood by 48%. A Community Watch Program is on the way. Business cards for Lt. Marshall have come around.

2. Andrea Levine wants to know what do we do next to make the Community Watch Program happen. Officer Kinney replied that he will “start the ball rolling” himself tomorrow, and that we don’t need to do anything.

3. A neighbor who lives across the entrance of Texas Beach on the North Bank Trail is worried about late-night visitors to the park and fast traffic on their street. On one occasion, a neighbor was beat up by park visitors for trying to close the gate to the parking lot. Officer Kinney verified that in one bust this summer several tickets were given to unruly park visitors for having open containers of alcohol and for public drunkenness.

4. Secretary Libby Germer forgot to bring the minutes from the September meeting, Treasurer Leah Page is “locked out” of Premier Bank but will have our balance soon, and Financial Secretary Daria Christian reports that $95 was received at this meeting for membership dues. (Please see update below for previous meeting minutes and treasurer’s report!)

5. Remembrance Committee, headed by Gayle Turner, is currently not in session, because she is seriously ill and in the hospital. She requested prayer from members of the Civic League.

6. Thanksgiving basket giving has, for several years, been directed toward the Food Bank. A motion by Andrea Levine was passed to contribute $100 which will feed 500 people for Thanksgiving. Financial Secretary Leah Page will donate the money from the Civic League account.

7. Andrea Almond, working with Storefront for Community Design, proposed a neighborhood canvas on Saturday, November 21st from 10-Noon (20 volunteers are needed to meet at Sundial Park at 9:45) to gain survey responses to better inform future initiatives to improve our neighborhood. Colorado Manor Apartments will be included in the survey.

8. City Planning Commission Meeting: Maymont Horticultural project. President Gloria Bouldin opened up the meeting to Q&A time. Financial Secretary Daria Christian encouraged neighbors to attend the City Council meeting and to utilize the open forum opportunity of sharing your opinions about the proposed buildings at Maymont Park.

9. Block Party report given by Leah Page.

10. Councilman Parker Agelasto report:

City Council voted to apply for funds from the federal gov’t for our neighborhood’s new sidewalks (might we need to extend the reach of new sidewalks into the current streets, to save the large trees?)

The plan is going forward to spend $8,000 to calm traffic in Maymont by alternating and adding two Stop signs

Riverview Community Park update: if the current skate park can be released as the conservation easement or a “portion of a parcel” that includes the parking lot at Texas Beach, we can continue to make plans. Until then, we are still on hold.

Lastly, an RRHA representative visited the Randolph Civic League Meeting tonight to discuss the “scattered sites” that are currently occupied by RRHA residents because many of those homes need renovation and possible new ownership. HUD must approve the transfer of the properties to non-profit partners. A Fair Housing Act investigation is underway in Randolph.

The words “pervious” and “impervious” were used many times in regards to additional parking lots for our neighborhood parks.

Alley Clean-Up that was cancelled due to rain on November 3rd has not been re-scheduled and won’t happen during the winter.

Bulk Pick-up seems to be backed up. They seem to be understaffed? Parker feels that a huge part of this has been that resources are being overwhelmed by college students during move in/move out season. He is working with Councilwoman Ellen Robertson to change the “dump and demand” cycle of Bulk Pickup in our city, including more coordination and cooperation with the City. Illegal dumping fines need to be more of a threat.

“See, Click, Fix” is currently undergoing a revamp. It will be more integrated and will automatically send requests to the appropriate agency. Crews should respond more quickly to requests.

Evelyn Murphy spoke of the difference between VA Beach and Richmond in terms of a Rental Inspection Program. Parker explained why they are so much tighter and well-regulated in VA Beach.